Deep Breathing for Meditation or Yoga
Deep breathing is a great way of promoting relaxation and
reducing stress. Yoga, meditation, martial arts, and trained
voice are some disciplines that recognize the importance and
effectiveness of deep breathing. Use the following deep
breathing technique during any of the above activites or
whenever you want to relax and energize your body.
It is natural to breathe using the diaphragm or lower abdomen.
If you watch babies, you will see that they breathe this way. As
we get older, stress and inactivity cause us to draw shorter,
shallower breaths. These short breaths use only the upper chest
instead of the lower abdomen. In times of stress the abdominal
muscles tense up and make it almost impossible to breathe deeply
and naturally. At first, the shock your body feels because of
the increased oxygen intake during deep breathing exercises, may
cause you to feel some dizziness.
A short breathing exercise:
Close your eyes, and hold your hands over your lower abdomen.
Breath in deeply through your nose while you slowly count to 4.
Feel your belly push out on your hands. Let the air in your
abdomen expand your belly without any muscle tension. Breathe
out through your mouth, feeling your hands moving back into your
body.
Repeat this pattern until you feel peaceful, calm, and relaxed.
You may find it helpful to play calming and relaxing music
during this exercise.